Ballast water

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​​​​​​​​​Ballast water is water taken on board by vessels to maintain stability and trim. Ballast water can contain thousands of aquatic microbes, plan​ts and animals, which can be spread across the globe as the vessel releases ballast water. Unmanaged ballast water released in foreign ports could potentially introduce a range of invasive marine species. Invasions have already taken place around the world, in some instances with significant consequences for the local ecosystem.

manage ballast water prior to arrival in Australian seas, and between Australian ports

carry a ballast water management plan, ballast water management certificate, and maintain ballast water records.

Some vessels may be required to install an International Maritime Organisation (IMO) approved ballast water management system to meet new ballast water discharge standards. For more information on when a vessel will need to meet the discharge standard, please refer to the
Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements.

Exemptions are available for some vessels

Some vessels may be eligible for exemptions from some or all of Australia’s requirements. These include
General Exemptions which do not require an application, and
Case by Case Exemptions for vessels operating solely in Australian waters.

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Ballast water management requirements

The
Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements explain how to comply with the requirements of both the Biosecurity Act and Amendment Act. Vessel masters who cannot comply with the requirements should phone the Maritime National Coordination Centre on
1300 004 605 for advice.

Failure to do so before discharging ballast water may result in civil penalties for the operator of the vessel.

Exemptions that you can apply for

Vessels must keep records of ballast operations and must manage their ballast water in according to Australia’s requirements. However, case by case exemptions for some obligations are available upon application for vessels operating solely within Australian waters.

Exemption from the requirement to install a ballast water management system

Quick Domestic Ballast Water Risk Assessment Tool

The
Quick Domestic Ballast Water Risk Assessment Tool provides an indication of whether ballast water taken up at an Australian port and discharged at another Australian port, will be considered low or high risk based on the Australian Ballast Water Risk Assessment.

Policy and legislation

Ballast water is regulated under the
Biosecurity Act 2015, which was amended by the Biosecurity Amendment (Ballast Water and Other Measures) Act 2017 (Amendment Act), and the Biosecurity (Ballast Water and Sediments) Determination 2017.

Fact sheets

From 8 September 2017, new legislation and requirements apply to ballast water management in Australian waters. The following fact sheets provide guidance for international and domestic vessels travelling within Australian waters.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.